Chapter Sixteen

                Abbey woke the next morning to the sound of an alarm clock and after showering and dressing herself,(thankfully she had a turtle neck to hide the mark that Marcus had placed upon her neck the day before... though everyone she'd seen in town the day before had already seen it), she woke Audrey. Today was the girls first day of first grade in her new school. Abbey was going to drive her to school and see about getting a job at the diner. She was fairly certain that the brothers didn't want her working but she had lived too long at the mercy of a man and she wanted to feel as if she could do something for herself. Regardless of whether she agreed to fully mate to the brothers or not she still wanted to have something that was hers, some form of independence.

                "Mommy, I'm sleepy," Audrey whined as Abbey led her into the kitchen to get her some breakfast. The house seemed quiet and empty but Abbey knew that Julian and Marcus would know they were awake.

                "I know you are but just think! You get to start school today and make some friends," Abbey said happily, hoping to spark her daughter's interest.

                It seemed to work and Audrey was smiling as Abbey poured her a bowl of the fruity cereal that Julian had purchased in town the day before.

                "What about Tanner?" Audrey asked.

                "Marcus and Julian are going to keep an eye on him today," Abbey replied. She didn't like depending on them for childcare but there was no other choice. She couldn't very well chase a four year old while she worked and the school in town was too small to have a preschool.

                "I think they're still sleeping," Audrey stated before shoving a big bite of cereal into her mouth. Abbey nodded as she glanced at the clock. It was six-thirty in the morning and it did seem that everyone was still asleep. Weren't ranchers supposed to be up with the dawn? Of course Julian had told her over dinner the night before that the hands would all be showing up around seven to start their work day so maybe that's about the time Marcus and Julian would normally wake up.

                Abbey bit her lip. She couldn't leave without making sure one of them was up to take care of Tanner, "I'll be right back," she told her daughter before kissing her hair and leaving the room.

                She wasn't sure what possessed her to choose Marcus. She truly didn't put any thought at all into where her feet were carrying her as she went straight to Marcus's door and walked on in as if she belonged there. It wasn't until Abbey was standing beside his bed staring at the lump completely engulfed in a thick black comforter that she realized where she was.

                For a moment Abbey considered making a run for it. Perhaps he didn't know she was here..... then the covers moved and she heard the unmistakable sound of Marcus growling, "There's not much I wake up before dawn for, Abbey, are you here to make it worth it?"

                Abbey opened and then quickly closed her mouth several times trying to think of what to say. A deep rumbling came from beneath that soft black blanket Marcus was wrapped in and Abbey realized he was laughing at her, "I.. I only wanted to make sure you were awake because I'm getting ready to leave..."

                "I'm awake and I'll take care of Tanner. Now either get the hell out of my room or get the hell into my bed. I'd prefer the second one but I'm sure you'll do the first, especially after you hear that I sleep naked."

                Abbey's eyes widened and with a squeak she left the room and stood panting in the hallway. Abbey had no idea how to respond to teasing like that! Joseph had never teased her, never flirted, never joked or laughed with her. Would Abbey ever be comfortable enough to simply relax and let herself enjoy the way Marcus was with her?

                Lord knew she wanted to open that door and lose herself in Marcus's bed. She wanted desperately to let him show her more of the pleasure that he had given her yesterday in the barn.... But she simply couldn't do it. Yesterday had been a fluke... Today the cautious Abbey was back. The Abbey who had learned the hard way that good things didn't happen for her; the Abbey who had no idea how to latch on to happiness and have fun because her entire life for ten years had simply been survival.

                Hating herself for not being able to simply give in to the brothers without doubting herself, Abbey walked down the hall. She was nearing the staircase, just passing Julian's room, when she heard a groan come from inside.

                Abbey frowned.

                She could hear running water, a shower, coming from inside the room as well. Unable to stop herself, Abbey put her ear to the door and heard the sound again. It was a deep, masculine moan that could not be mistaken for anything other than a moan of pleasure.

                Jealousy shot through Abbey like a blazing bolt of lightning. She wasn't entirely sure what got into her as she threw open Julian's door and strode toward the closed bathroom door that was inside. It was as if something, or someone, else was in control of her body as she prepared herself to take care of whoever was pleasuring her mate!

                Abbey's hand was reaching for the bathroom door when Julian moaned again and this time it was Abbey's name that left his lips.

                Abbey heard the unmistakable sound of Julian pleasuring himself and her heart thundered. He was thinking of her as he did that? Abbey had never been the source of anyone's desire before. Joseph certainly hadn't acted as if she was anything special but Julian and Marcus clearly thought she was.....

                She forgot all about fear and uncertainty then. Whatever had taken over her body to bring her this far into Julian's room was still ruling her. Her mate was calling out for her, he needed her, and she was powerless against that need.  Abbey opened the bathroom door and stepped inside.                

***

                Julian wasn't proud of the fact that he was sneaking a bit of pleasure in the shower like a teenage boy but hell what else was he supposed to do? He had to release some of his pent up arousal for Abbey or he would leap upon her and ravish her soft body senseless the second he saw her.

                As his hand stroked his hard cock he thought of Abbey's face. Her expressive but often sad green eyes, those full lips and flushed cheeks. His mind's eye went lower to the way her breasts curved in her shirts. What would those breasts look like free of clothing? What would her nipples look like hard and swollen from the assault of his hungry mouth?

                Lower still his imagination took him until he was stroking Abbey's quivering pussy instead of his own throbbing arousal. It was her juices pouring over his fingers instead of the running water and it was her heat steaming the room.

                Abbey's name left his lips as he groaned and increased the pace of his hand. Then he froze when the bathroom door opened and his mate's summer rain scent filled the air, overpowering the scent of water, soap and his own arousal.

                Julian instantly stopped what he was doing and threw open the glass door to reveal Abbey standing there with wide, hungry eyes and trembling hands.

                (Have fun with her, big brother,) Marcus's voice came into Julian's mind. (I'll take care of the pups. Give her a few hours of paradise and make her forget any possible reason she could have for refusing us.)

                Julian didn't reply, he couldn't speak. He prided himself on his self-control and his ability to put the needs of others above his own needs but he could not do that now.

                He wanted Abbey. Plain and simple. It was time to take a page out of Marcus's book and push her until she gave in... no more giving her time. If he kept giving her time he was going to go crazy. The wolf in him craved her, needed her, had to have her.

                Julian wasted no time in stepping out of the shower and reaching out for Abbey. As badly as he wanted her, he was going to make her come to him. He wanted her to take that step.

                And she did.

                Abbey came to him and Julian laid a wet knuckle against her cheek, stroking her skin gently as she looked deep into his eyes and he lost himself in their green depths.

                Julian's cock twitched, yearning for her touch, as Abbey's gaze dropped down over his body, "I..I know you said to come to you when I was ready..."

                "Are you ready to accept us?" Julian questioned almost nervously. He didn't know if he was necessarily ready for the answer—especially if the answer wasn't the one he was hoping for.

                "I... I don't know.. I don't..." Julian was horrified when tears filled Abbey's eyes and she turned away from him in an attempt to flee from the room.

                Julian chased her, his wet feet nearly slipping on the slick tiles. Julian reached her in the bedroom and grabbed her around the waist and pulled her body against his. "What are you afraid of, Abbey?" he growled gently against her ear.

                Abbey's back stiffened against his chest as she trembled, "What will people think?"

                "Why does that matter? Do you have any idea how happy we can make you? You will never have to work, worry or want for anything. You are made to be with us, Abbey. You are made to be ours and Marcus and I were made to be yours. Quit denying us all what fate says we deserve."

                "Bu my children..."

                "Will have two fathers who love, protect, cherish and adore them as well as a mother who does all those things and puts their well-being above her own. I would say those will be two very lucky pups."

                "I'll be a werewolf..."

                Julian sighed. It seemed that this woman had one hundred fears that made no sense, "Eventually you will be but you don't have to take that step until you're ready. We can mate without turning you, Abbey."

                Julian was telling her the truth. True he and Marcus would always feel as if something was missing until she allowed them to change her but changing her wasn't something she needed to rush into. Abbey was timid and unsure enough. One step at a time, that was going to be the key. 

                Julian pressed his rock-hard arousal against her soft, jean-clad ass and he groaned with the want he felt coursing through his blood.

                Abbey trembled harder in his arms and her hands gripped his forearms tightly as her knees quaked, "I have to get back to the kids, Julian... I have to take Audrey to school...."

                Julian smiled at the regret in her voice. She didn't want to leave him. "Marcus, is taking care of them, Abbey." He breathed her name into her ear and then lowered his lips to her cheekbone as a truck fired to life outside, "There they all go now."

                "So we're alone?" Abbey whispered.

                Julian let his fingers dance down her hip and graze over the heat of her core. Even though her jeans he could feel the warmth of her desire and the scent of it had him feeling lightheaded and drunk, "Yes. The house is all ours."

                Abbey surprised Julian when she turned her head and brushed those full lips against his.

                It was as if Julian's self-control had been a rubber band pulled taught and tight and Abbey's lips were the catalyst that stretched it too tightly and had it snapping.

                Julian let out a growl, spun her around, took her hips in his hands and lifted her body. Abbey's legs wrapped around his waist and they stared into each other's eyes for a moment more, their souls locking them together, and then Julian buried his hands in her thick brown hair and pulled her mouth to his.

                The kiss was sensual and hungry. A joining of lips that had Julian shaking on weak knees. He carried Abbey to the bed and laid her down gently without breaking their lips apart. She released the hold her legs had had on him and Julian stood up, gazing down at her with hunger and love... God he loved this woman. She was infuriatingly stubborn at times but it was nice to see that because it meant her abusive late husband hadn't taken all her fire.

                She was like a baby in other ways. Someone who had no idea what she really liked or wanted because she hadn't been in control of her own life in so long. Julian couldn't wait to see her come more out of her shell and become her own woman but that could wait. Just now he was going to love her body until she was a quivering pile of sated woman and couldn't even think about leaving or denying him and his brother.

                Abbey's eyes were dark and full of passion has Julian stood looking down at her. He dropped to his knees and removed her shoes and socks. Next he undid the button and zipper on her jeans. He could feel her trembling as he slid them off her legs. Her skin was smooth and pale and looked delectable.

                Julian kissed her knee and ran his tongue along her thigh. She nearly jumped away from him but he held her in place by placing his hand on her stomach.

                "Marcus tasted it and now I'm going to. Don't deny me that," he whispered. Abbey's hand gripped the gray sheets of his bed as he once again went back to sampling her skin.

                His tongue ran up her other thigh, stopping before he got to the blue cotton fabric of her panties. He blew a hot breath over the taunt fabric and Abbey whimpered. Her hips shot forward as if pleading with him to taste her and so he hooked her panties with one finger, pulled them aside and lapped at her glistening clit one slow time.

                He nearly lost himself right then and there. She tasted better than anything Julian had ever tasted before. Her tangy sweetness and the scent of her surrounding him was paradise.

                Without wasting another second Julian spread her lips apart and began to devour her.

                He lapped and suckled at every ounce of moisture she had to give him and when he thrust his finger inside of her she almost instantly clenched around him and cried out his name as she found her release.

                But Julian wasn't done with her yet. He removed her panties and tossed they and her jeans aside. Abbey looked up at him from the bed, her eyes heavy lidded and her body languid. It was clear she thought he was done. When Julian motioned for her to stand she frowned, "I don't think I can."

                Julian grinned and took her hand, pulling her to her feet. Then he gripped he bottom of her shirt and lifted it over her head. He barely managed to contain his growl of rage when his eyes took in the sight of those healing bruises covering her torso. Thankfully the man who had placed those bruises on her pale skin would never again find himself able to cause another.

                Julian moved his gaze to her tiny but full breasts encased in her black satin bra and simply let his eyes feast upon that and his temper fade. There was no point being angry at a dead man when he had this delectable treat, his mate, ready for taking.

                "You're staring at me," Abbey whispered, sounding almost accusatory as she crossed her arms over her chest in an attempt to shield herself.

                Julian shook his head, "Can you blame me?" he questioned gruffly. "You are perfection." Yes her stomach and hips were full and soft, not firm and toned the way media said a woman's body should be. Yes she had stretch marks on her low belly, her thighs and probably her breasts, evidence that she had given birth to two pups, but she was perfect.

                In Julian's eyes no greater creation had ever been made than this beautiful woman standing before him.

                "It makes me uncomfortable," Abbey admitted. "I know I'm not what..."

                Julian cut her off with a searing kiss that left her blinking rapidly and slack jawed as he pulled away, "Don't. Don't ever say a bad word about yourself." Julian leaned in and licked the place on her neck that Marcus had marked the day before. Abbey moaned out his name and Julian smiled.

                He nipped and licked his way to the other side of her neck and sucked—hard—giving her a mark of his own.  Abbey cried out with the pain and pleasure of it and Julian unsnapped her bra, tossing it away even as he lowered his head and feasted upon her breasts.

                Her nipples were hard and eager for his attention and Julian was more than happy to give them all the attention they could handle.

                As he lowered Abbey to the bed, her hands locked in his hair holding his head in place. Julian could no longer hold back. He had to have her. Moving his mouth back to Abbey's full lips he braced himself over her.

                Their eyes locked again and Julian stared into the green depths of her gaze, "Tell me you want me, Abbey."

                "I want you, Julian."

                Julian growled as he slid himself inside of Abbey and felt her muscles tighten around him. The pleasure was beyond anything he could have imagined. His mate was perfect and her body was made to hold him just right. They fit together so tightly it was impossible to say where he ended and she began.

                Abbey cried out his name and Julian silenced her cries by kissing her hungrily. Everything in Julian wanted to take her quickly but he kept his movements slow and gentle.

                He pressed tender kisses along Abbey's jaw, her neck, her collarbones as she arched and whimpered beneath him. He wanted to show her gentle, loving sex because he had a feeling she had never before known it.

                Julian felt her body tensing, heard her breaths quickening and knew she was nearing her release. He increased the tempo of his hips and the instant that Abbey's walls tightened and flexed around him he lost himself inside of her, crying out her name as he did so.

                Julian collapsed on the mattress, his skin slick with sweat as he pulled Abbey against his side and she rested her head on his shoulder.

                "I never knew it could be that way, Julian," she whispered, seeming to be in awe. "I didn't know it could be so....pleasurable."

                Julian felt his heart swell at her innocence, "It will only get better, Abbey."

                "Better?" she whispered doubtfully.

                "Yes, better. As you learn what you like and Marcus and I learn what makes your body respond the most. The way you like to be kissed, licked, held, touched, teased and stroked." As Julian spoke he ran his fingertips along her thigh and Abbey trembled.

                "Please stop," she groaned. "I don't think I can take anymore just now."

                Julian smiled before kissing her tenderly and rising from the bed. He picked a surprised Abbey up and cradled her against his chest. Julian carried her into the bathroom and he showered and cleansed her body before drying her off and helping her into her clothes.

                As he pulled her sweater back over her head Julian realized that Abbey was crying, "What's wrong?" he demanded tenderly.

                "Nothing," she whispered, a sweet smile curving her lips. She was certainly breathtaking when she smiled and it was Julian's hope that he'd be able to help her do that more often. "I just didn't realize that there were men like you."

                "You are my mate, Abbey. Taking care of you, seeing your needs tended to, that's something I have to do. It's something I want to do. Seeing you happy is now my only goal and desire in life."

                Julian wiped away the tear on her cheek and chuckled when her stomach growled hungrily, "Now come on and I'll tend to your stomach."